Vacuum cleaner assembly



Aug. 30, 1955 c. E. MEYERHOEFE'R 5 VACUUM CLEANERASVSEMBLY Filed March 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 10 a"; w """W 4H1"? W '5'? MW A 52 I a INVENTOR I ii'ar/[Myerfioq'er B I I 37 I5 58 50 ATTORNEYS 1955 c. E. MEYERHOEFER 2,716,465

' VACUUM CLEANER ASSEMBLY Filed March 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l N V E N To R 6211'! [i' Maya/infer ATTORNEYS VACUUM CLEANER ASSEMBLY Carl E. Meyerhoefer, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Lewyt Corporation, Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 26, 1954, Serial No. 419,007

7 Claims. (Cl. 183-37) This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved vacuum cleaner, especially of the domestic type.

It is a primary object of the invention to furnish an apparatus of this nature to be easily traversed over a, supporting surface such as a floor so that no conscious effort will be involved on the part of the operator as the latter cleans floor and wall surfaces, draperies, etc; the apparatus readily pivoting and moving in response to toolmanipulation by the operator and, moreover, incorporating stability such that there will be no danger of the assembly turning over as the operator moves around an enclosure being cleaned.

A further object is that of furnishing a mechanism embodying the foregoing advantages which may readily be converted from its usual cleaning functions involving a suction, to a blowing apparatus such as would be employed in spraying.

An additional object is that of designing of such an apparatus which would include relatively few parts, each individually simple and rugged in construction and capable of operating over long periods of time with freedom from all difliculties.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheet of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side view thereof taken along the line 2-2 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary-front elevation of the mechanism with certain of the parts broken away to disclose underlying structures;

Figs. 4 and 5 are side elevations illustrating the ap paratus in use;

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken in plan; and

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the inner end of the cap.

Referring primarily to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a generally tub-shaped assembly embracing a lower portion 10 of relatively reduced diameter and an upper portion 11, the outer face of which is partially defined by horizontally extending surfaces 12 providing recesses for the reception of wheels 13. The latter are rotatively mounted upon axles 14 which, as especially apparent in Fig. 2, are in advance of a line extending centrally of the upper and lower casing portions. A skid in the form of a bulged part 15 is provided on the lower face of easing portion 10 and preferably centrally of the wheels 13. This skid in engagement with the floor or other supporting surface prevents an over-balancing of the apparatus. Also in the lower face of easing part 10 and preferably in line with the skid, a support 16 in the form of a button may be provided. This is conveniently formed of vinyl and prevents the apparatus from scratching the surface of polished floors upon which it rests. Also, .it serves to dampen noise.

The upper end .of easing section. 11 is closed by a cover 17 conveniently provided with a handle 18 and piv- 2,716,465 Patented Aug. 30, 1955 otally supported at a point adjacent its edge. At a diametrically opposite point it is furnished with a latch assembly 19 which normally maintains it inclosed -position. That cover may also be furnished with a rotatable control 20. serving to adjust the position of va valve by means of which a flow of by-pass air through an opening 21 may be established.

- Upper casing part 11 provides within its interior a trough 22 below which there is supported a motorblower assembly 23 extending well into lower casing portion 10 to a point adjacent the base of the latter. Thus, the center of gravity for the apparatus (when in upright position) is established approximately at the point indicated at 24. a

For a detailed showing of one preferred form of apparatus providing the necessary mechanical components to be included within the assembly, reference is had to my prior application on Vacuum Cleaner Assembly filed in the United States Patent Office on October 14, 1953 and identified under Serial No. 386,077. For a detailed showing of a preferred form of coupling which is preferably employed to establish a detachable connection between the hose and the apparatus, reference is had to my prior application filed in Washington on April 27, 1953 and identified under Serial No. 351,072.

That coupling has been generally indicated in the annexed drawings as embracing an opening through the walls of easing section 11 and trough 22 and conveniently defined by ,a deflector 25 within the trough. The end fitting 26 of a hose 39 or similar member, has been shown as connected to the surfaces existing adjacent the outer face of the assembly and extending to a point within the deflector 25. Contrary to the structure embraced in the prior applications, it is to be noted, however, that the collar portion 27 defining the bore into which theinner end of the fittingextends, has its axis inclined downwardly and outwardly. Therefore, any hose or similar accessory connected at this point would extend in a corresponding direction.

Current is supplied to the motor-blower unit 23 by means of a lead 28. The latter may be coiled around the upper casing section 11 in a zone above the collar 27. That collar portion has its outer surface formed'so that it furnishes a support to retain the lead against downward displacement in the zone of the coupling. Accessory portions 29 exist at a diametrically opposite point on the outer face of the casing and similarly support the lead. These accessory portions may also serve to provide a support for a rack or fixture 30 which mounts the various tools and accessories (not shown) ordinarily employed in cleaning operations.

As taught in my prior applications the current supplied by lead 28 is controlled by a switch 31 shifted by an actuator 32. When the switch is closed the motor-blower unit will operate to draw air'through-the opening defined by collar 27 and also through any hose or similar appliance secured thereto. That air will pass through filters associated with the trough and upper casing portions and thence flow through the motor-blower unit to be exhausted through openings 33 formed in the front and rear walls of the lower casing 10. As indicated especially in Fig. 2, the motor-blower unit has its lower end encased Within a shellor tube 34 through which ,all air discharged by the unit flows in its passage towards-openings 33. This shell is furnished in its base with anopening 35 for the escape of air. In line with that opening a sealing cap 36 may close an opening in the base of easing section 10. As indicated in dotted lines, the hose fitting 261118) be passed throughthe opening wheneap 36 is dismounted and extend through and into sealing relationship with the edges defining opening 35.

When so disposed, it is obvious that air discharged from the motor-blower unit instead of escaping from shell 34 into the space intervening that element and the lower casing portion 10 and thence through openings 33, .will be discharged through the fitting 26 and thencethrough the hose. I

As particularly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 7, cap 36. which is preferably formed of natural or synthetic rubberdefines at its inner end a retaining surface. Conveniently that surface has affixed to it integral prongs 37 which may be three in number and equally spaced. A lozenge or wafer 38 embracing a deodorant material is retained between these prongs. It is to be remembered that cap 36 is disposed directly below opening 35. Under operating conditions, the air discharged through that opening will have a relatively high temperature and will flow in direct contact with the upper surface of the wafer or lozenge. Therefore, volatile oils embodied within the latter will be vaporized and the air permeated with the deodorant will flow out through openings 33 and embodying a pleasing odor. The body of the lozenge will, of course, not be further reduced after operation of the motor-blower unit is discontinued in that the parts will quickly return to room temperature under which only minimum or no vaporization will occur. Also, the flow of air over the lozenge will cease.

Now considering the general operation of the apparatus and aside from the detailed mechanical functioning of its several mechanisms, it will be understood that an operator using a nozzle or other implement attached to hose 39 will have no difficulty traversing the desired surface within a given space. More particularly, the apparatus will rest upon the floor as shown in Fig. 4. In response to a pull exerted upon the hose, the assembly will move towards the operator. The center of gravity 24 will be above and to the rear of the wheel axis 14. Adequate support will be furnsihed incident to the two wheels 13 and the button 16 or an equivalent surface. When the operator pulls the apparatus towards him under usual operating conditions the skid 15 may ride in contact with the supporting surface. That skid being located in advance of the axis of the wheels there will be no danger of the parts over-balancing. Also as the operator moves around the room the apparatus will generally pivot around its own axis as defined by the centers of easing portions 10 and 11. This has been indicated in Fig. 6. If it is desired to have the apparatus moved away from the operator then the push or thrust exerted through hose 39 and fitting 26 will achieve the desired result. Under these circumstances button 16 or an equivalent surface will ride in contact with the floor. If now an operator jerks on the hose 39 to exert a pull through the latter on the apparatus, it is apparent that the assembly would tend to tilt forwardly and over-balance incident to the center of gravity 24 shifting substantially in line with and above the axis 14. However, this result will not obtain because a sudden jerk or pull would have the initial effect of causing the assembly to begin a movement towards the operator. At the same time it would start to over-balance as shown in Fig. 5. However, because of the slack which would come into being on the part of the flexible hose and the fact that that portion of the hose which is adjacent fitting 26 extends outwardly and downwardly, the hose will contact the floor at a point immediately beyond the fitting as also shown in Fig. 5. This, in effect, will provide a support for the assembly and prevent its over-balancing. In fact, the center of gravity not having shifted beyond the axis and due to the stiffness and resiliency inherent in the hose and its fitting, the parts will re-establish themselves and reassume the position shown in Fig. 4.

Of course, when it is desired to deliberately upset the apparatus this may readily be achieved by, for example, exerting a lifting action on the hose 39. This. force will,

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accordingly, be transmitted through fitting 26 to the casing assembly. It will cause it to rock rearwardly over contact portion 16 to thus expose the base portion of lower casing section 10. In any event, cap 36 is now accessible so that it may be unseated. Thereafter lozenge 38 may be replaced. Otherwise fitting 26 is introduced through the opening normally sealed by cap 36 and the i between the front and rear surfaces of said casing, said wheels having their upper peripheral portions extending throughout substantially one-half of the height of the casing, a support adjacent said rear surface projecting below said base surface, the casing being rockable around said wheels to elevate said support from the floor, a

collar having its axis downwardly and outwardly directed from the front surface of said casing below the upper edge thereof adapted to receive a hose whereby in response to a pull on said hose the casing tends to overbalance in the direction of the front surface and whereby the hose will be displaced in a direction to contact the floor to limit the extent of said overbalancing, and thereby tend to maintain the casing in an upright position, said casing being formed with an air-discharge opening, a motor-blower unit disposed adjacent the casing base to cause a How of air from said inlet opening to said discharge opening, a filter also disposed within said casing and through which air passes in its flow therethrough, said filter being positioned within the upper end of said casing in line with said unit and the center of gravity of said assembly being positioned between a horizontal plane tangent to the top of the wheels and a horizontal plane through the center of the wheels and to the rear of a vertical plane passing through the center of the wheels which is perpendicular to said two horizontal planes.

2. A vacuum cleaner assembly including, in combination, a tub-shaped casing having front, rear, side and base surfaces, 21 pair of supporting wheels journaled one to each of said side surfaces at points between said front and rear surfaces and with their lower peripheral portions extending to points below the base surface to thus movably support the latter upon a floor, said casing being also normally supported by the floor at a third point t adjacent the rear of its base surface, a filter bag-receiving trough within said casing adjacent its upper end, the latter being formed with an opening in its front surface in line with said trough, a hose-coupling collar mounted on the front casing surface and defining a forwardly and downwardly inclined bore, a motor-blower unit disposed within said casing below said trough to draw air through said opening and trough, said casing being formed with an air-discharge opening beyond said unit, a hose connected to said collar and extending forwardly and normally downwardly with respect to said casing, an abrupt pull upon said hose resulting in an elevation of the third point of support at the rear of the casing base surface and imparting to said assembly a tendency to overbalance in the direction of the front surface and said hose contacting the fioor to counteract such tendency.

3. A vacuum cleaner assembly of the tub type, comprising a single substantially symmetrical casing in which the weighty portions of the mechanism are disposed adjacent the lower end of the casing and the relatively light parts of the assembly are disposed adjacent the upper end of the casing, said casing including front, rear, side and base surfaces, upper and lower sections providing said casing, the front surface of the upper section being formed with an inlet opening and the relatively light portions of the assembly comprising a trough disposed in line with said inlet opening and to receive an airporous filter bag to be connected to the inlet opening, the weighty portion of the mechanism comprising a motor-blower unit with the motor disposed below the blower thereof and the unit being aligned with said trough, said assembly providing passages extending from the trough to the unit and beyond the latter to terminate in an exhaust opening formed in the casing, a pair of wheels journaled to the side surfaces of said casing at points between the rear and from surfaces thereof, said wheels having their upper peripheral portions extending at least to a point which is half the height of the casing, their lower peripheral portions extending below the base surfaces thereof to provide for rolling support of the assembly over the floor, the axis of journalling of the wheels being in a plane which intersects the motor-blower unit and is in advance of the vertical axis of the latter, whereby the center of gravity of the assembly is at a point to the rear of the wheel journalling to cause the assembly to normally occupy a rearwardly inclined position supported by the two wheels and an area of its lower surface at a point adjacent the rear of the apparatus, and an abrupt pull on a hose connected with said inlet opening causing said casing to rotate around the axis of the wheels with said lower surface area being elevated out of contact with the floor.

4. In a vacuum cleaner assembly as specified in claim 3, a depressable switch actuator extending from the front surface of said casing adjacent the base surface of the latter and the center of gravity of said apparatus being disposed below a horizontal plane and sufficiently rearwardly of the axis of the wheels whereby actuation of the switch will not require the expenditure of an operating force such that said casing will rock forwardly around said axis as the actuator is depressed.

5. In a vacuum cleaner assembly as specified in claim 3, the axis of said inlet opening being inclined downwardly and outwardly with respect to said front surface, and a hose connected to such opening and providing a strut to engage the floor as said assembly rocks forwardly around its axis to prevent a forward toppling of said assembly.

6. In a vacuum cleaner assembly as specified in claim 3, said upper casing section being of greater area-in a horizontal plane-than said lower section and said wheels being arranged immediately adjacent the side surfaces of said casing of said lower section to be recessed with respect to the upper casing section.

7. In a vacuum cleaner assembly as specified in claim 3, a cover movably secured to the upper casing section, whereby access may be had to said trough, and a handle extending above the upper face of said cover substantially in line with the axis of said motor-blower unit, whereby the assembly may be lifted from the floor by the handle and will maintain a substantially vertical position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,198,945 Moss Sept. 19, 1916 1,954,924 Engberg et al Apr. 17, 1934 2,248,610 Clements July 8, 1941 2,522,882 Lofgren Sept. 19, 1950 2,539,195 Lang Jan. 23, 1951 2,616,114 'Kroenlein Nov. 4, 1952 2,639,001 Meyerhoefer May 19, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 107,187 Austria Sept. 10, 1927 450,858 Germany Oct. 11, 1927 

